Coronavirus Branford: Bright Idea: 'Porch Lights Across America'

BRANFORD, CT — Nancy DeMarseilles is a "young at heart" 65-year-old mother of two and grandmother of four. She says her idea to bring people together during the coronavirus crisis is her version of a "virtual group hug."

DeMarseilles notes that she is, based on age, in the higher risk pool for COVID-19. But says her idea is "not about me being fearful. Quite the opposite. It’s all about what I can do from my home, to provide a feel good moment, my version of a virtual group hug."

She says, "anything we can do as individuals to offer, albeit from a distance, comfort, compassion and understanding to those around us, is a benefit as we navigate through the weeks ahead. I truly believe it can go a long way towards our nation’s recovery."

Porch Lights Across America is a bright idea that may help.

In a letter to Patch, DeMarseilles explained:

"In challenging times, small gestures go a long way! On 9/11, it was as simple as hanging American flags proudly from our homes. Not so long ago, it was millions of Americans of all ages across this great land, participating in the ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’ to raise money to help find a cure for ALS. Now as families are being asked to stay at home and practice ‘social distancing’, let’s all make one more small gesture to show we are all doing our part to fight for the health, safety and well being of all! Please Join me and participate in ‘PORCH LIGHTS ACROSS AMERICA’.

One simple gesture at dusk each evening, turning on your ‘Porch Light’, is an easy way to show your neighbors young and old, that you are doing your part to keep them safe and healthy! It provides a way for you to say thank you, to all the doctors, nurses, first responders and the multitude of essential service providers who are on the front lines doing their best to help us all maintain some semblance of normalcy during this unprecedented time in our history.
One simple gesture, the lighting each evening of your porch light, is a visible sign to show our leaders, researchers and scientists, we hear them and are heeding their warnings, by staying home and doing our part to help ‘flatten the curve’. With hope, faith and luck, America will beat this thing; so in the very near future we can all get back to work, school and life, pursuing our passions, dreams and aspirations!

I am a young at heart 65 year old. Mother of two and Gramma of four. This is not about me, who based on age, happen to be in the higher risk pool. It’s not about me being fearful. Quite the opposite. It’s all about what I can do from my home, to provide a ‘feel good moment’. My version of a ‘Virtual Group Hug’. Anything we can do as individuals to offer albeit from a distance ; comfort, compassion and understanding to those around us, is a benefit as we navigate through the weeks ahead. I truly believe it can go a long way towards our nation’s recovery.

Participation is easy! Just flip your PORCH LIGHT switch ON each evening. The illumination of millions of lights each evening across America, will brighten our nights and be a beacon to the promise that our best days lie ahead!

God Bless America!
Please share with your family, friends and social media platforms across the USA.

Nancy K DeMarseilles

Branford, Connecticut

We'll make sure our lights are on tonight.